London Aquarium, London

The contractor was repairing and relaying a waterproof membrane on a podium deck which covered the London Aquarium at County Hall.

The concrete deck was a loading ramp immediately above the aquarium and naturally the client was concerned about damage and leaks with such precious livestock beneath. It was overlaid with a torch-on bituminous felt membrane and due to be covered with a road grade asphalt. The Protecto-board was delivered on pallets and loose laid onto the felt membrane. The boards were secured with tape at the edges (an alternative installation method is to either spot bond with bituminous adhesive liquid or to heat bond the boards to the membrane, creating a fully bonded protection layer).

The protection board demonstrated its durability and flexibility by being able to protect the membrane from temporary damage from machinery and sand loads, plus it proved easy to handle and fix around the edges, which were sealed with an adhesive layer of bitumen solution.

The applicators were very pleased to work with it, and reported that it was easy to carry and flexible enough to form around corners and cut to measure without delaminating or crumbling, or leaching bitumen onto them (unlike other bituminus protection boards on the market).

It was cut to shape around the curbs cleanly and effectively without leaving gaps or vulnerable areas, and was covered with hot road grade asphalt shortly afterwards.